Metro Vancouver residents may not have to deal with the widespread flight cancellations during the pandemic. But 2024 saw some major travel disruptions for a variety of reasons.
From a possible strike with the country’s flag carrier to one of only two remaining low-cost airlines abruptly ceasing operations, several hurricanes affecting flights from Vancouver and extensive flight cancellations from WestJet, locals had many reasons to worry about the status of their travels.
In addition, one of the main travel destinations for residents of the Great White North, Cuba, was plunged into darkness after an island-wide power outage that lasted days.
See the top travel stories that influenced Metro Vancouverites in 2024.
Vancouver travelers are bracing for a possible Air Canada strike
On August 22, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada, the union representing Air Canada pilots, said pilots had voted “overwhelmingly in favor” of authorizing union leaders to call a strike.
Although Air Canada reached an 11th-hour deal with its pilots’ union, many travelers canceled flights and accepted refunds or rebooking offers after the airline said the flight cancellations were “likely”.
Metro Vancouverite Shauna Louise expressed concern about the potential jobs action on X/Twitter, sharing, “I’m leaving for Japan on Air Canada in two weeks.”
Another frustrated traveler wrote that she couldn’t afford a new flight. Her original option cost $550, and she is now looking at options over $900.
Lynx Air shuts down
One of Canada’s low-cost airlines folded after just a few years in the air.
Lynx Air announced on February 22 that it would cease operations due to intense market competition, rising fuel costs, rising operating costs, currency exchange rates and rising airport charges.
There were hundreds of travelers stranded at 11am thanks to the airline’s abrupt decision.
The Calgary-based airline launched its first flight to Vancouver on April 7, 2022, with prices starting at $49. It expanded its network to include several cities across Canada, with services connecting Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to places like Kelowna, Edmonton and Montreal.
The airline was one of Canada’s only remaining low-cost airlines following the dissolution of WestJet’s budget brand Dive in the fall of 2023. Flair Airlines remains out of the country only cheap option.
Travelers in Metro Vancouver were angry about the extended cancellations of WestJet flights
WestJet continued to cancel dozens of flights every day for a week brutal hailstorm caused extensive damage at the Calgary International Airport (YYC) in August.
Passengers wondered how the airline preemptively canceled flights but rebooked customers on the same day.
Christa Barberis was scheduled to depart Vancouver International Airport (YVR) at 12:50 a.m. on August 12, but received a text message at 1:18 a.m. informing her that she had been rebooked on a flight departing at 8:20 a.m. that morning.
“Needless to say, I couldn’t make that flight because I didn’t have one idea of the cancellation/rebooking while I was sleeping,” she told VIA
Many customers also expressed frustration with WestJet’s call-back service. Some said they had to call the airline if they needed immediate help, but it was impossible to get through.
One person attempted to use the callback service on August 13 and was told the earliest available date to speak to a customer service representative was August 16.
Other customers struggled to get compensation from the airline, saying they were owed money by the airline due to flight cancellations and delays.
Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, Hurricane Beryl and other major hurricanes
Flights to parts of the Caribbean, Central America and several cities in the southern US were canceled due to several powerful hurricanes in 2024.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is considered one of the deadliest in decades. According to the U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the season had 18 named storms and 11 hurricanes; five were considered “major”.
The season began on June 19 with Tropical Storm Alberto and was followed by Hurricane Beryl, the first Category 5 hurricane, which caused major flooding in Texas and Louisiana. After a period of storm inactivity, Hurricane Francine began a new round of storms, making landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2.
Hurricane Helene struck Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 4 on September 26, causing catastrophic flooding and more than 150 deaths. NOAA says it is the “deadliest hurricane to hit the continental United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.”
Hundreds of flights were canceled to major U.S. airports in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, including dozens on routes directly to or with YVR.
Helene was followed by several hurricanes, including a period when three were active at the same time: Leslie, Milton, and Kirk. NOAA says this is the first time three have been active at the same time since September.
Canada’s best airlines flexible policy implemented for travelers with flights booked to or from areas in the path of Hurricane Milton. The hurricane caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in Florida.
Power outages in Cuba
As one of the top travel destinations for Canucks, major power outages across the island affected the travel plans of thousands of people.
The Caribbean island was plunged into complete darkness on October 18 after a massive power outage. Hurricane Oscar struck the country’s east coast, killing six and worsening the energy crisis.
Some homes were without electricity for up to eight hours a day. The consequences of the power outage go beyond lighting, as services such as water supply also rely on electricity to run the pumps.
Just weeks later, Hurricane Beryl tore through a western part of Cuba, about 75 kilometers west of Havana, destroying more than 400 homes, knocking out the country’s power grid and damaging other infrastructure.
The Canadian government has her Cuban travel adviceadvising travelers to exercise extreme caution due to “shortages of basic necessities, including food, medicine and fuel.”
Air Canada, WestJet and Sunwing introduced flexible change policy for customers with flights affected by the energy crisis and hurricanes.
With files from the Associated Press
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